Wonderful restaurant! Wish this was in my neighborhood. I would become a regular. Best Saltimbocca I have had in the US! Everything was lovely and well prepared and we had an excellent wine we were unfamiliar with and loved it. Make a reservation - not many tables inside. It’s great!! Thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Saltimbocca
Roger Hopper
Cozy, romantic venue with exceptional food, drinks, and service. Limited seating - highly recommend looking for a reservation a week or two in advance, more than worth the effort! The Persephone cocktail is basic and fine, but the Ransom Note is a perfect must-try, a masterful and complex combination of floral gin and elderflower balanced by lime and simple and brought all together by egg white. Avocado Bruschetta and Insalata di Luce are both delicious and come exactly as advertised, can't go wrong with either. Chef's special Stuffed Gnocchi topped with sliced grilled filet was out of this world, my deepest condolences to everyone who doesn't get to try it, although considering how perfectly the gnocchi, filet, and sauce were prepared, no doubt whatever other rotating specials come and go are bound to also be fantastic. Lobster and Prosecco Gnocchi was outstanding and exquisitely prepared as well. The This is Luce cocktail is good, especially for whisky lovers, a bit of a stronger option, and the red sangria was very nice, with plenty of Triple Sec or Gran Marnier or something citrusy in there to go around. Torta Nocciola and Tentazione di Cioccolate were both very nice options for dessert, not as outstanding as the Ransom Note, Avocado Bruschetta, or Stuffed Gnocchi, but very good. Amazing experience all-around, one of the best restaurants in Hampton Roads!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster and Prosecco Gnocchi
J C
I visited January 4 and 30. My overall combined experience was fabulous. The food was delicious, and the bartenders were exceptional. I appreciated the late hours and relaxing atmosphere.The scallops were good on my first visit. Christopher was the bartender that night, and his service was top-notch!My second visit started with the tasty "Ransom Note." Then onto a flight of Scotch... while devouring the lamb. Go with lamb and skip desert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dave Coleman
Amazing Italian restaurant in downtown Norfolk. The menu is large for such a tiny restaurant, but I highly recommend the pasta. Luce’s pasta is extraordinary and reminds me of Rome. The restaurant is very small, with the floor plan dominated by the bar and only a handful of tables in the restaurant. That’s why you need a reservation about a week in advance.Vegetarian options: Several very good vegetarian pastas featured on the menu.
If I told you I can still taste my dinner there after two week, you wouldn’t believe me. It has to be one of the best meals I have ever had. The creativity of the chef and the flavors is beyond words. First place I am going when I go back.
Top notched, highly recommended for sure.For starters, the service was wonderful from the time my friends and I came without reservation. The hostess asked the bartender if something could be done to accommodate us; and he did! The bar staff was hands down personable and friendly, the Australian accent definitely brought the added charm! Even Sheila was happy regarding the service.Ambiance was casual trendy with seemingly faithful patrons whose name the bar staff remembers. Small place but packed with lively spirit, and not just those along the bar shelves. Speaking of drinks, one friend of mine enjoyed her red wine from Spain, well it’s St. Patrick’s day so wine tasting was in the offing. My other friend wanted some refreshing cocktail. The bartender prepared a vodka and lime mix with orange twist. She absolutely loved it.The food was absolutely second to none, well maybe only to Luce Secondo, its sister restaurant. I ordered the Tonno and Tomatoes which was wonderfully mouth-pleasing dish with perfectly seared ahi tuna on Parmesan infused polenta accented by sweet and tart ripe cherry tomatoes in a wonderful sauce.Ordered the hazelnut cake with espresso ice cream for dessert. It was the best of 3 desserts we ordered, the other 2 being the limoncello mascarpone cake and the rum infused puff pastry.Was a more than satisfying dinner, will definitely come back to try other dishes (my friends ordered the cioppino and clams and pulpo (grilled octopus) appetizer. They lived their food but I won’t pirate their turn to write their own reviews!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Matthew Brooks
A small but amazing restaurant. The servers (Peter and Chris) were amazing. Reservation are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bruschetta
Nancy Fowlkes
The food is always delicious. We enjoyed a wonderful bottle of wine and our server was delightful! Love to dine here-especially before a show!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mushroom Toast, Filetto Di Luce, Mussels Di Luce, Rig and Goose, Wild Boar Ragu, Smoked Salmon Arrabbiata
Dana Williams
Absolutely wonderful experience all around! We didn’t have a reservation and were able to grab 2 stools at the bar. The service was wonderful and the FOOD!! It was so yummm. We had the green salad w goat cheese and it was just the right start! A nice light citrus dressing. I had the fish of the day which was halibut. It was cooked perfectly, has a fresh tomato sauce w it and served over the most amazing fresh spinach fettuccine. The pasta was so light!! My boyfriend had the spaghetti w sausage and it was so flavorful!! Lots of fresh herbs, tomatoes and you could taste the sausage was fresh!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Darryll Tate
This is a great spot for date night or a special occasion. The food is top notch, the drinks are great, and the atmosphere is an overall vibe.Make reservations, though. The book up pretty fast.
Came here for a celebratory dinner, Luce is known as one of the finer dining experiences in downtown Norfolk, be prepared to spend some $$$. The restaurant was a lot smaller than I expected, there were only a handful of tables and the rest of the seating is at the bar. It was fully packed that evening with around 25-30 people. The food was delicious and portions were filling. Ordered the Burrata as an appetizer, Filetto di Luce, and Midsummer night's dream for dessert. Overall, it was a pretty special and intimate dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
edgar smith
Excellent service, nice ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mussels Di Luce, Lobster and Prosecco Gnocchi, Sautéed Calamari
Felicia Williams
5 star across the board!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Geraldine Mercado
Great experience. Warm and cozy atmosphere. Excellent service. Extensive wine list. Loved the Mushroom Toast, Insalata Luce, and Wild Boar Ragu. Can't wait to go back!
Luce gave me the worst food poisoning I have ever had in my life.My girlfriend and I went here for date night on Thursday night. We split the burrata and bruschetta, and she had the Lobster Gnocchi while I had the Spaghetti Della Pescatore and a couple of drinks.The food seemed fine. But the service left a lot to be desired, with only one employee seemingly working as host, server, and busser. Overall, the experience seemed unremarkable.Three hours later, I was sitting on the toilet, clutching a trashcan in my arms, purging everything in my body. It has now been about 36 hours since we left Luce, and I am still running to the bathroom frequently, I have only managed to eat a couple of saltines, and under no circumstances should anyone eat shellfish from this place.
Wonderful restaurant! Wish this was in my neighborhood. I would become a regular. Best Saltimbocca I have had in the US! Everything was lovely and well prepared and we had an excellent wine we were unfamiliar with and loved it. Make a reservation - not many tables inside. It’s great!! Thank you
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Saltimbocca
Cozy, romantic venue with exceptional food, drinks, and service. Limited seating - highly recommend looking for a reservation a week or two in advance, more than worth the effort! The Persephone cocktail is basic and fine, but the Ransom Note is a perfect must-try, a masterful and complex combination of floral gin and elderflower balanced by lime and simple and brought all together by egg white. Avocado Bruschetta and Insalata di Luce are both delicious and come exactly as advertised, can't go wrong with either. Chef's special Stuffed Gnocchi topped with sliced grilled filet was out of this world, my deepest condolences to everyone who doesn't get to try it, although considering how perfectly the gnocchi, filet, and sauce were prepared, no doubt whatever other rotating specials come and go are bound to also be fantastic. Lobster and Prosecco Gnocchi was outstanding and exquisitely prepared as well. The This is Luce cocktail is good, especially for whisky lovers, a bit of a stronger option, and the red sangria was very nice, with plenty of Triple Sec or Gran Marnier or something citrusy in there to go around. Torta Nocciola and Tentazione di Cioccolate were both very nice options for dessert, not as outstanding as the Ransom Note, Avocado Bruschetta, or Stuffed Gnocchi, but very good. Amazing experience all-around, one of the best restaurants in Hampton Roads!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster and Prosecco Gnocchi
I visited January 4 and 30. My overall combined experience was fabulous. The food was delicious, and the bartenders were exceptional. I appreciated the late hours and relaxing atmosphere.The scallops were good on my first visit. Christopher was the bartender that night, and his service was top-notch!My second visit started with the tasty "Ransom Note." Then onto a flight of Scotch... while devouring the lamb. Go with lamb and skip desert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing Italian restaurant in downtown Norfolk. The menu is large for such a tiny restaurant, but I highly recommend the pasta. Luce’s pasta is extraordinary and reminds me of Rome. The restaurant is very small, with the floor plan dominated by the bar and only a handful of tables in the restaurant. That’s why you need a reservation about a week in advance.Vegetarian options: Several very good vegetarian pastas featured on the menu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mushroom Toast, Wild Boar Ragu
If I told you I can still taste my dinner there after two week, you wouldn’t believe me. It has to be one of the best meals I have ever had. The creativity of the chef and the flavors is beyond words. First place I am going when I go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Saltimbocca, Sautéed Calamari, Bruschetta
Top notched, highly recommended for sure.For starters, the service was wonderful from the time my friends and I came without reservation. The hostess asked the bartender if something could be done to accommodate us; and he did! The bar staff was hands down personable and friendly, the Australian accent definitely brought the added charm! Even Sheila was happy regarding the service.Ambiance was casual trendy with seemingly faithful patrons whose name the bar staff remembers. Small place but packed with lively spirit, and not just those along the bar shelves. Speaking of drinks, one friend of mine enjoyed her red wine from Spain, well it’s St. Patrick’s day so wine tasting was in the offing. My other friend wanted some refreshing cocktail. The bartender prepared a vodka and lime mix with orange twist. She absolutely loved it.The food was absolutely second to none, well maybe only to Luce Secondo, its sister restaurant. I ordered the Tonno and Tomatoes which was wonderfully mouth-pleasing dish with perfectly seared ahi tuna on Parmesan infused polenta accented by sweet and tart ripe cherry tomatoes in a wonderful sauce.Ordered the hazelnut cake with espresso ice cream for dessert. It was the best of 3 desserts we ordered, the other 2 being the limoncello mascarpone cake and the rum infused puff pastry.Was a more than satisfying dinner, will definitely come back to try other dishes (my friends ordered the cioppino and clams and pulpo (grilled octopus) appetizer. They lived their food but I won’t pirate their turn to write their own reviews!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A small but amazing restaurant. The servers (Peter and Chris) were amazing. Reservation are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bruschetta
The food is always delicious. We enjoyed a wonderful bottle of wine and our server was delightful! Love to dine here-especially before a show!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mushroom Toast, Filetto Di Luce, Mussels Di Luce, Rig and Goose, Wild Boar Ragu, Smoked Salmon Arrabbiata
Absolutely wonderful experience all around! We didn’t have a reservation and were able to grab 2 stools at the bar. The service was wonderful and the FOOD!! It was so yummm. We had the green salad w goat cheese and it was just the right start! A nice light citrus dressing. I had the fish of the day which was halibut. It was cooked perfectly, has a fresh tomato sauce w it and served over the most amazing fresh spinach fettuccine. The pasta was so light!! My boyfriend had the spaghetti w sausage and it was so flavorful!! Lots of fresh herbs, tomatoes and you could taste the sausage was fresh!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This is a great spot for date night or a special occasion. The food is top notch, the drinks are great, and the atmosphere is an overall vibe.Make reservations, though. The book up pretty fast.
Restaurantji Recommends
Came here for a celebratory dinner, Luce is known as one of the finer dining experiences in downtown Norfolk, be prepared to spend some $$$. The restaurant was a lot smaller than I expected, there were only a handful of tables and the rest of the seating is at the bar. It was fully packed that evening with around 25-30 people. The food was delicious and portions were filling. Ordered the Burrata as an appetizer, Filetto di Luce, and Midsummer night's dream for dessert. Overall, it was a pretty special and intimate dining experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service, nice ambiance.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mussels Di Luce, Lobster and Prosecco Gnocchi, Sautéed Calamari
5 star across the board!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great experience. Warm and cozy atmosphere. Excellent service. Extensive wine list. Loved the Mushroom Toast, Insalata Luce, and Wild Boar Ragu. Can't wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mushroom Toast, Wild Boar Ragu
Luce gave me the worst food poisoning I have ever had in my life.My girlfriend and I went here for date night on Thursday night. We split the burrata and bruschetta, and she had the Lobster Gnocchi while I had the Spaghetti Della Pescatore and a couple of drinks.The food seemed fine. But the service left a lot to be desired, with only one employee seemingly working as host, server, and busser. Overall, the experience seemed unremarkable.Three hours later, I was sitting on the toilet, clutching a trashcan in my arms, purging everything in my body. It has now been about 36 hours since we left Luce, and I am still running to the bathroom frequently, I have only managed to eat a couple of saltines, and under no circumstances should anyone eat shellfish from this place.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2